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COLORADO TERRITORY 









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FXCHANGS 



COLORADO TERRITORY. 



The geographical location of the new Territory of Colorado 
will perhaps be most easily comprehended by giving its territo- 
rial boundaries as follows : On the north by the Territory of 
Montana (formerly Idaho), on the south by the Territory of 
New Mexico, on the east by the State of Kansas, on the west 
by the Territory of Utah. 

The Rocky Mountain range, the great back-bone of the 
American Continent, runs through the territory from north to 
south. Its distance from the Missouri River is six hundred and 
fifty-miles, across what are known as the Plains. The journey 
from New York to Atchison on the Missouri River, the ter- 
minus of railway communication, is made in four days ; from 
Atchison a daily line of stage-coaches go through in six days, 
thus bringing New York within ten days' travel of the richest 
gold region on the continent. The telegraph is in operation, 
and answers to communications are made in one day. The Pa- 
cific Railway will bring Colorado in direct railway communica- 
tion with the East. 

The Territory abounds in mineral wealth, not only of gold, 
but also of silver, iron, lead, coal, &c, insuring a future of re- 
markable prosperity. Gold mining, however, is now and for 
some time to come, must continue to be the chief interest of the 
Territory. The climate is remarkably healthy. The vast 



" Parks " as they are called, which are basins or plains in the 
midst of the mountains, demonstrate the fact that for wool 
growing, and stock raising, and for all agricultural products 
common to the latitude, the country will not be excelled by any 
of the Western States. All this is of importance in looking at 
the future of Colorado. 

Its most populous town is Denver City, situated on the plains, 
twenty miles from the base of the mountains, where most of the 
commercial and agricultural business is transacted. It was 
settled in 1858, and contains 7,500 inhabitants. The im- 
portant banking business of the Territory centres here, and in 
view of the growing importance of Colorado, the Government 
has established a mint, which facilitates the safe transmission to 
the East of the products of the mines. 

From Denver City, roads radiate to all the important mining 
districts within the Rocky Mountain region. 

The most developed portion of the mining wealth centres in 
Gilpin County, containing a population of 12,000 inhabitants. 
The most active mining operations are carried on within a few 
miles radius of the principal town, Central City, distant from 
Denver City forty miles. This is the very " heart " of the de- 
veloped mining region and well known ' « lodes " in its vicinity 
are of exceeding value. 

The character of the Colorado gold mining differs from that 
of California, the former chiefly being what is called and known 
as "lode" mining, while the latter is principally "placer" 



mining. 



A "lode" is a vein or fissure between walls of granite rock, 
extending from the surface to an indefinite depth and nearly 
perpendicular. On the surface they vary from a few inches to 
many feet in width. The method of mining is to sink a shaft 
in these veins, (usually five by ten feet,) perpendicularly from 
the surface, raising the gold-bearing quartz and other mineral 
by steam or other power, to the surface. This is taken to the 
stamp-mills where it is pulverized, and the gold separated by 



chemical action. At the surface and for some distance down, 
the gold deposits are mostly found mixed with quartz rock, but 
afterwards with pyrites of iron and copper, or other metals. 
Some of these veins contain immense wealth, and nearly all will 
yield sufficient to pay for working if faithfully and well managed. 

Where deposits of gold are found mixed only with the sands 
and alluvial washings of the mountains or hillsides, or in river 
beds, requiring chiefly the action of water to separate it, it is 
termed " placer mining." This class of mining can easily be 
prosecuted by individual miners. " Lode" mining can only be 
worked profitably by the aid of capital and powerful machinery, 
but experience has confirmed the belief that this kind of mining 
is the most profitable. 

Until within a short time, the operations in Colorado have been 
carried on by the chance settlers of the Territory, with limited 
means, and without any scientific knowledge of mining ; and no 
stronger testimony can be had to the wonderful wealth of the 
country, than what they have accomplished under these cir- 
cumstances. The character of the deposits is such, that large 
success depends upon the operations being carried on upon a 
large scale, and thus an opportunity is afforded parties not resi- 
dent in the Territory to contribute capital and share in the 
commensurate results. 

Scientific investigation has shown that the rude processes in 
use up to within a short time, have extracted only a small 
proportion of the gold in the ore treated, and the most im- 
proved methods now in general use, are believed to save less 
than half. Some of the best scientific men in the country are 
now investigating processes for saving all the precious metals 
contained in the ore, with a probability of good success. 

What is of exceeding importance, in connection with Color- 
ado, is the depth of the lodes, which are supposed to be practi- 
cally inexhaustible, — it is the scientific theory that the gold 
deposits are thrown up from below, and all experience thus far 
confirms this. Shafts are now down to to a depth of 400 feet, 



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and in every instance have shown that the quantity and quality 
of yield increases in proportion to the depth attained. 

These facts unerringly point, as with the finger of fate, to 
Colorado as the field for successful enterprise, where labor will 
be largely productive, and where capital, judiciously applied, 
will yield rich returns. 

Few people stop to consider that two thirds of the area of the 
United States and Territories lie west of the Mississippi River, 
and only one third east ; that one third of the area of this 
continent, or that portion belonging to the United States which 
is comprised in the country known as the Rocky and Sierra 
Nevada mountains, is one vast and almost undeveloped gold 
and silver mining region, a country 1,200 miles in width, and 
2,000 miles in length. It is impossible for a people so little 
acquainted with that distant region to estimate, or even fully 
contemplate, its boundless wealth. 

Capital being essential to vigorous lode mining, individual 
effort cannot attain that success which is open to any well or- 
ganized body of associates. 

To possess a valuable mining property alone is not sufficient 
to secure returns. Joined to this there must be abundant means, 
together with a Superintendent of experience in both mining 
and milling, (i. e. one with the practical knowledge of get- 
ting out the ore, and afterwards of extracting it in the mill,) and 
also a board of management, organized for the actual vigorous 
working of the property, and not formed to profit by a speculative 
rise in the value of the stock. Parties investing in associations 
possessing these requisites can tjardly fail to meet with satisfac- 
tory returns. 

No surer or better investment can be made than in a sound 
Colorado enterprize. Capital, enterprising men, machinery, 
the best mechanical and inventive talent in the world, will 
soon seek that country for employment. It can give profitable 
employment to ten millions of miners. A hundred years of 
constant working will not exhaust its gold and silver veins. 



The ability of the American continent to produce the great 
mass of the precious metals necessary for the currency, com- 
merce, government, and convenience of the world, will become 
manifest so soon as the auriferous vastness and geography of 
its gold-producing territory shall become correctly understood. 
The bulk of the American people are as yet comparatively ig- 
norant of the prodigious extent of the mineral resources of their 
p country, and especially of its richness in the precious metals. 



TESTIMONY 

IN REFERENCE TO THE RICHNESS AND EXTENT OF THE 
MINERAL LANDS OF COLORADO. 

Report of the Commissioner of the United States General 
Land Office, 

" Quartz that yields twelve dollars per ton will pay in favor- 
able localities ; but there are veins now worked that will yield 
from twenty to five hundred dollars per ton, and some that will 
yield from five hundred to two thousand dollars per ton. Mines 
that barely paid at the surface are yielding enormous profits at 
a depth of a hundred and fifty to two hundred feet. The value 
of the mines is absolutely incalculable to the Government. 
They may be made to yield just in proportion to the number of 
men employed in working them." 



From the Annual Report to Hon. S. P. Chase, Secretary 
of the United States Treasury, by the Director of the Philadel- 
phia Mint. 

4 * The deposits of gold from Colorado Territory have largely 
increased ; and the daily developments of the mineral of that 
region would seem to indicate, that, before many years, the 
production from the mines there will rival in amount that of 
California." 



From Gov. Evans's Message to the Legislative Assembly of 
Colorado : — 

" Before closing, however, allow me to congratulate you 
upon the rapidly accumulating evidences of the natural resour- 
ces of Colorado Territory. To the extent and richness of her 
mines, to the exceedingly nutritious pasturage of her plains, and 
the fertility of her valleys, I may be allowed to make a passing 
reference. 

" It is estimated by those best informed on the subject, that 
the gold product of the present will be at least double that of 
any former year, and that the gold-mining country has as yet 
been but partially prospected. New and rich discoveries are 
constantly being made ; the art of mining is daily being im- 
proved, and adapted to the peculiarities of our mines ; while an 
annual increase of the home supply of the necessaries of life is 
tending to diminish the expense of living. . . . 

" The ore is principally composed of the sulphuret of iron 
(iron pyrites) . That which yields twelve dollars per ton pays 
expenses. That in most of the lodes now worked, pays, on an 
average, three times that amount ; while in some instances it 
yields one hundred and fifty, two hundred, and even as high as 
five hundred dollars per ton, treated by the stamping process. 
This ore yields, upon analysis, from three to six times as much 
gold as can be saved by the crushers ; giving, in some instan- 
ces, even what appears to be fabulous results. A rule in 
working the mines, that seems to be very uniform, and com- 
mands general confidence among miners, is that the deeper the 
mine is perpendicularly the richer the ore becomes." 



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From the speech of the Hon. H. P. Bennett, of Colorado, 
delivered in the House of Kepresentatives, Washington, Feb- 
ruary 28, 1863: — 

6 i I speak from the united testimony of many practical 
miners, who have spent several years in the mines of Cali- 
fornia, when I say that the gold-bearing region of Colorado 
is far more extensive, quite as inexhaustible, and the gold- 
bearm" 1 quartz of a much richer quality, than California. I 
make this comparison to give by it to the world a better idea 
of the extent and richness of these mines, and not with any 
desire to depreciate in the least regard the fabulous wealth 
which still remains i from everlasting to everlasting ' in the mines 
of California. 

" All things considered, can there be a safer investment than 
in the stocks of the bullion banks of Colorado ? The vaults of 
these banks are filled with an inexhaustible treasure, placed on 
deposit there by the Almighty hand, and made subject to the 
drafts of man. These banks are always specie-paying ; and 
their vaults are numerous, long, wide, and deep. There is no 
risk in this business. The capitalist is but following in a beaten 
path. The experiment has been made by those who have gone 
before, and their success is inviting him to follow quickly. 
Ten, twenty, fifty, a hundred, five hundred thousand dollars, 
may find ready and very profitable investment, without any 
possibility of failure, if he will but exercise the most ordinary 
precaution. Only consider it for a moment : the man of 
means, with a quartz-mill of twelve stamps and suitable saving 
anparatus, will crush quartz rock that yields from three to seven 
hundred dollars to the cord, out of which he can realize from 
one to five thousand dollars per week. 

" Investments of capital in these gold fields, instead of paying 
from five to ten per cent, will double and triple every year. 

" The United States Branch Mint established in Denver City 
is already in successful operation. No risk is feared in the 



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shipment of gold to New York, from the fact that certificates 
of deposit are given, which are drafts on any United States 
Mint, payable in gold on presentation." 



From the Report of George I. Chace, Professor of Geology 
at Brown University, Providence, R. I. : — 

" The universal experience in Colorado is, that the lodes 
increase in richness as they are followed downwards. In this 
respect they are remarkably distinguished from those of Australia 
and most other gold districts, where the richest ore is found in 
the first hundred feet from the surface. The deeper workings are 
less productive ; and at length become unprofitable, and are 
abandoned. This apparent exception to the general law govern- 
ing gold-bearing lodes — an exception in favor of those of Col- 
orado — adds greatly to their desirableness and value. 

" In judging of the value and desirableness of gold proper- 
ties in Colorado, it deserves to be considered, that, by the 
method hitherto in use, only about one third or one fourth part 
of the gold has been extracted from the ore. This is especially 
true of the pyritous ores. By subjecting these to Keith's 
desulphurizing process, just being introduced at the time I was 
in the Territory, their yield is said to be quadrupled, while the 
expense is but slightly increased. Other methods are in the 
field competing with this. Which of them will prove best, can 
be determined only by a trial sufficiently protracted to thoroughly 
test them. That we are on the verge of very great improve- 
ments in the method of extracting the gold from the quartz and 
pyrites, I think there can be little doubt. These improvements 
must add largely to the value of gold-bearing lodes. 

"It should be further remembered, that the auriferous ores 
of Colorado consist largely of the yellow and purple sulphurets 
of copper. These, although at present thrown away, will 
undoubtedly erelong be saved, and add still further to the pro- 
ductiveness of the lodes. It is not improbable that all of these 



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ores will ultimately be brought down to the plain at the foot of 
the mountains, to be milled and smelted. The abundant supply 
of water and fuel to be had there will be a powerful persuasive 
to such a course. 

The high price of labor and provisions, which at present 
operates adversely to the mining interests, will be but temporary. 
When the agricultural resources of the Territory shall be devel- 
oped, and population shall have adjusted itself to the law of 
demand and supply (as it always will), mining operations will 
be conducted in Colorado at as low costs as in any part of the 
United States. 

" The distance of the gold region of Colorado, by some per- 
sons regarded as an objection to investments there, will erelong 
be practically much less than at present. When the telegraph- 
wire shall be followed by the Pacific railroad across the plain 
(as before many years it is destined to be), Golden City, the 
capital of the Territory, will be within five days of New York." 



From Prof. Edward N. Kent, of the New York Assay 
Office, who has twice visited Colorado Territory for the 
purpose of scientific investigation : — 

" Gold mining is generally conducted by those who have not 
been educated to the business, and it frequently happens that 
those who are the most successful, become so by accident. 
With the application of science and suitable machinery, almost 
any of the lodes could be profitably worked. The prevailing 
error now seems to be, that success depends more upon the 
amount of quartz crushed, than upon the amount of gold 
which can be saved from that which has been already crushed, 
and is now lying dormant for want of suitable means to extract 
the gold. 

" During my stay in Colorado I made several assays of 
mill products, the results of which appeared, to be almost incredible. 



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I have, therefore, repeated the assays since my return upon 
twenty-five different samples, which I brought home with me. 
These assays have corroborated those made before, (under 
rather unfavorable circumstances, incident to a new country,) 
and I have found the average value of the mill products as now 
made, to be as follows : — 

Tailings, $34 74 per ton of 2,000 lbs. 
Blanketings, $ 86 84 " " 

Pannings, $ 3 31 per lb. avoirdupois. 

" As to the extent of the gold mines of Colorado, I am 
not prepared to give an estimate, as I found enough to fully 
employ my time within a radius of five miles of Central City ; 
but as to the richness of them, I have no hesitation in saying 
that I believe them to be the richest ever discovered. With 
science, capital, and a Pacific railroad, Colorado is destined, 
in my opinion, to rival or supersede California, and Australia, 
and become the El Dorado of the West." 



